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Milwaukee is soon coming out with four new high performance M18 Fuel cordless brushless impact wrenches. These new high torque heavy duty impacts are said to be the most powerful cordless tools of their kind, delivering unmatched performance, durability, and versatility.

According to Mike Monteleone, Milwaukee Tool’s product manager for this segment, these new tools can challenge all cordless, corded, and even pneumatic competitors.

The new brushless impact wrenches deliver up to 750 ft-lbs of peak fastening torque, and up to 1,200 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque.

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750 ft-lbs! This comes close to the Ingersoll Rand W7150 that we discussed in our Which Cordless Impact for Lug Nut Removal post a few months back. In case you are more accustomed to seeing impact tool peak torque specs in inch-pounds, 750 foot-pounds = 9,000 in-lbs, which is a LOT of power.

The new impact wrenches will be available in four drive and socket retention configurations. All of these new impacts are built with an advanced electronic control system that gives users the choice between 2 fastening models through a new 2-mode Drive Control feature.

The first Drive Control mode (Mode #1) is intended to be used in applications where over-torquing is a concern. Peak torque is limited to 100-375 ft-lbs, depending on the tool, to help avoid fastener damage. The second mode (Mode #2), is intended to be used where maximum power is desired.

Thanks to the new PowerState brushless motor and high capacity battery packs, the new impacts deliver up to 2x the runtime of competing brands’ high torque impact wrenches, and up to 3x the motor life. New tools are covered under a 3-year battery warranty and 5-year tool warranty.

The kits will retail from $429 to $499, and the bare tools from $219 to $269.

40 Comments

I wondered do they use the same motor in all the power tools and they just adjust the rpm’s and torque by gearboxes and electronics? I would imagine they would want to keep costs contained by using as many of the same parts as possible.

If you look at like-focused tools, such as Milwaukee’s 12V Fuel drills and drivers, Bosch’s 12V compact drills and drivers, and Dewalt’s 20V Max drills and drivers, the tools share similar handles and motor casings.

The gearboxes are typically different, as you suggested, and probably the control circuitry as well. This helps keep costs down, not just in terms of volume pricing and possibly common production lines, but with product complexity as well.

I haven’t taken apart a whole series of like-focused tools before, but might one day just to see for myself.

Oh, I see what you mean now. The brushless motors used in these tools are definitely different than those in Milwaukee’s other M18 Fuel drills, drivers, and impact tools. There is only so much that can be accomplished with gearing.

It would make sense then that these impact wrenches and grinder and saws were released at the same time they might use the same larger motor. They all probably use the same motor then I’m just guessing though.

I would like to do independent torque testing, but doing so requires different testers, all of which cost $1500 and up. I imagine that torque testers that can handle 1/2″ drive tools and up to 1,000 ft-lbs torque or more are going to be even pricier.

Nice. They seem to have found a good balance between brushless motor and run time. At least i’m guessing…but my guess is the loaded run time is pretty low. You can build a very beefy brushless motor with beefy electronics and run it for 10 minutes while puling 80amps from the batteries… but it is nice how they are coming out with new innovations like hotcakes. They must have a big budget to pay a bunch of engineers.

With the Ingersoll Rand W7150 I believe you are referring to, they rate the tool is terms of forward torque, reverse torque, and nut-busting torque.

Maximum forward torque is the maximum torque that can typically be applied to a fastener.

Maximum reverse torque is the maximum functional torque of the tool. This is its everyday torque.

Maximum nut-busting torque refers to the ability of the tool to remove fasteners installed via other means.

For instance, let’s say you use the Milwaukee Fuel 3/4″ impact, discussed above, to tighten a fastener at its maximum torque of 750 ft-lbs.

The 1/2″ impact with retaining pin, the first model discussed above, has a peak forward torque of 600 ft-lbs.

The W7150 that you brought up has a maximum forward torque rating of 650 ft-lbs, max reverse torque rating of 780 ft-lbs, and maximum nut-busting torque of 1100 ft-lbs.

Milwaukee does not specify the maximum functional torque of the 1/2″ with pin impact, let’s assume this value is 20% higher than the forward torque, as with the W7150. So let’s say the maximum reverse torque is therefore 600 ft-lbs x 120% = 720 ft-lbs.

Going by this assumption, the 1/2″ impact would have a maximum reverse torque of 720 ft-lbs. Yet, in practice, with a nut-busting torque rating of 900 ft-lbs, it should be able to break free the fastener tightened by the 3/4″ impact and its 750 ft-lbs of maximum forward torque with ease.

You can think of maximum reverse torque as maximum functional torque, and nut-busting torque as peak torque. If it helps, there are plenty of analogies that can be drawn. Maximum torque ~ a runner’s maximum 5km speed. Maximum nut-busting torque ~ the same runner’s maximum 100m sprint speed.

So I think your saying that the nut busting vs max reverse (or max fwd) is time related? So in normal tool use I can achieve the max reverse, but if I leave the tool on the nut for some long time I can achieve the nut busting value?

Any idea what that time is between those two (5 sec vs 30 sec?)? Seems like it’s kind of important…if max nut busting takes a half hour of impacting to achieve it’s a pretty worthless number (and I can so see the mfgrs using a test like that).

It’s like giving me torque and hp numbers for a car without telling me what the rpm is at those points.

The maximum reverse torque might be the maximum torque that is measured via a torque meter. You can keep pulling the trigger as long as you want, but you’re not going to go any higher than that maximum value.

Maximum reverse torque is the maximum day-to-day working torque. Maximum nut-busting torque refers to the highest torqued fastener the tool has been tested and proven capable of loosening.

The power needed to break free a high-torqued fastener is a lot lower than the power needed to reach that torque such as if tightening a left-hand-threaded fastener.

And, they will have the famous Milwaukee Tools FIVE (5) year guarantee on the new offerings, as do all their tools.

If a company really believes in their products, they will give longer warranties than other companies. Having used this great customer service, I only buy Milwaukee Tools products as they truly care about the customer’s happiness after the sale in a quick, no-hassle way.

Must only apply to Milwaukee but I have learned just because you offer a longer warranty means absolutely nothing… GM and Chrysler offer a longer Powertrain warranty then Ford… But neither of them build better products or stand behind their product any better then Ford does…

If there is anything I’ve learned a warranty looks great on paper but when it boils down to it, Most companies will do anything to get out of it

Milwaukee is not that way. If you have a problem, website has a place to printout a FedEx return label (no cost) and they will check out the tool and repair or replace. Sent in a V28 battery on Monday AM, got a new one on Friday PM. No costs whatsoever.

Others have bought brands at a big box store and when a problem arose, the store said to send it back to manufacturer the manufacturer said take it back to the store. Milwaukee doesn’t pull this. If you call, they answer, and if you email, you may get a reply that day.

I don’t have the time, nor the patience for ignorance or empty promises or lies. That is why I am so confident in buying Milwaukee products, including every V28 and most of the M18 and now the M18 Fuel. I have a collection of Milwaukee tools from the days when the drills etc., had all metal casings. They still run, fine. After seeing my father try all brands of power tools for the 66 years he was a master electrician and contractor, Milwaukee was always tested and proved themselves to last.

They do cost a little more, but in this case you get what you pay for. The tools are still manufactured to their specs, no matter where they are produced. The quality and dependability is there.

Tools that cost a little more are not for everyone. For those Harbor Freight may be the ideal source. I have some and have no complaints. As with any tool, people will abuse anything and not accept any responsibility. That is true with anything. Just the times we live in.

I disagree about the warranty. I haven’t had this success through the Milwaukee Service Center. Battery warranties and tool warranties not honored. Pro-rated type of situations. Sorry, but I don’t have time for the “longer warranty” argument. Some items need longer warranties for a reason.

What about Rigid Electric tools, sister company to Milwaukee, or TTi. Lifetime warranty. Why can’t Milwaukee have that type of warranty if they are so confident in the product. Or, what some would say not so sure of the product if it needs a lifetime warranty.

Just because a lifetime, or any warranty, is expressed, doesn’t mean it will be honored. Again, previous posted info showed that a fantastic sale at a big box store turned into a fiasco for many who could not get the store, nor the manufacturer, to honor the written guarantee. Why don’t all tool companies offer similar guarantees? I’ll let you delve into that query and carry on interrogatives to all the companies in the marketplace and do a presentation on your statistical results. Should not take more than 18 months, or so.

And, again, my previous experience with Milwaukee Tools, went way past what other manufactures promised or actually followed through with after the sale. Their support, by email, by phone, or by sending in a battery or tool, was superfluous. They did what they promised. They did it quickly. They did not charge me a penny. That is why I stick with them. Now, that shouldn’t be too operose to perceive.
LOL

[Personal attacks are not permitted.] I was stating that Ridgid, a TTi company, same as Miluwakee, has a lifetime warranty. Yes, many have found the follies of the lifetime warranty gig. I’m glad you’re happy with your tools, we don’t all have the same experiences.

I did not know that Ridgid was a TTI brand. – as it is not listed on the TTI website. I know that Home Depot seems to slap the Ridgid name on some products (like shovels) made (or sourced) by Ames, others that come from TTI and some from R.A.F. Industries – with other sources possible too. I’m not sure what the deal is – but thought that Emerson – was the primary holder of the Ridgid brand – but in this mixed-up global market that we live in – who knows who makes what.

what is the M18 FUEL 7/16″ Hex High Torque Impact Wrench Kit (2765-22) used for , googled it & hardly anything comes up that has youtube clips or what they are meant for as they have alot less torque than the 1/2 & 3/4 ” versions .

I have had milwaukee for 15yrs , was a shame when they moved factorys to china compared to when is was USA & Germany always , i felt the quality in the plastics went down a tad as they wear quicker now,especially the last models ( brush versions . But i love the new designs & innovations they have . Life time warranty good for spanners , etc but electrical gear with many moving parts is a different thing . Im a Australian chippy/Foreman in currently working in New Zealand

Confused – Hi stuart, I am interested in the “2762” with 2 modes {350/600} foot pounds and prefer the “friction ring” in place of others. But am a bit confused of their settings, 100/700 foot pounds ! does this mean two or three modes, the only thing I think is correct is their power in reverse – 1100 !!!………..your response will be greatly appreciated……………victor.